Trump Federalizes D.C. Police in First-Ever Use of Home Rule Powers

President Donald Trump has taken the unprecedented step of federalizing Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department and deploying the National Guard, citing a need to combat crime despite city data showing violence at a 30-year low. Under Section 740 of the Home Rule Act, the president can assume control of the D.C. police for up to 48 hours, with extensions possible during emergencies — a power no president has previously used. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called the move “unsettling and unprecedented,” noting that carjackings have fallen by about 50% since 2024 and violent crime is down overall. Supporters say the action signals a tougher stance on crime, while critics argue it’s an erosion of Home Rule and a troubling precedent. Legal challenges could follow, and it remains unclear how long the federal control will last.